Battery management device and battery management method

Abstract

A battery management device disclosed herein comprises: a communication unit that receives temperature data of a 3-lead battery cell and a charging signal of the battery cell; and a control unit that applies a current to heating channels, connecting the same pole, on the basis of the charging signal being a quick charging signal, and interrupts the application of the current on the basis of the temperature of the 3-lead battery cell received from a temperature sensor reaching a reference temperature.

Description

Battery management device and battery management method

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This invention claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0046225, filed on April 4, 2024, and all contents of the document in that Korean Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a battery management device and a battery management method.

[0005] Recently, active research and development is being conducted on secondary batteries. Here, the term "secondary battery" refers to a rechargeable battery, encompassing both conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries, as well as recent lithium-ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries have the advantage of a much higher energy density than conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries can be manufactured in a compact and lightweight form, making them suitable for use as power sources for mobile devices. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries are attracting attention as a next-generation energy storage medium, as their use is expanding to include power sources for electric vehicles.

[0006] These batteries can be charged using slow charging and fast charging. Fast charging can degrade performance at high charging speeds and in low temperatures, and increases the risk of lithium precipitation. Therefore, research is ongoing to rapidly raise battery cells to a certain temperature before fast charging.

[0007] According to one embodiment disclosed in the present document, a battery management device and a battery management method are provided that increase the temperature of a battery cell prior to rapid charging to reduce lithium precipitation that may occur during a rapid charging process.

[0008] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the descriptions below.

[0009] A battery management device according to one embodiment includes a communication unit that receives temperature data of a 3-lead battery cell and a charging signal of the battery cell, and a control unit that applies current to a heating channel connecting the same pole based on the charging signal being a rapid charging signal, and stops applying the current based on the temperature of the battery cell received from a temperature sensor reaching a reference temperature.

[0010] The above heating channel can connect the positive and negative poles of the 3-lead battery cell, or can connect the negative and negative poles.

[0011] The control unit can apply a current greater than a preset reference current to the heating channel before the rapid charging start time.

[0012] The control unit may increase the application of the current based on the temperature of the 3-lead battery cell measured by the temperature sensor being below a preset threshold temperature at a point in time when a preset time has elapsed since the current was applied.

[0013] The above control unit can increase or decrease the application of the current depending on the degree to which the three-lead battery cells are overlapped.

[0014] The control unit can increase the application of the current based on the number of overlapping 3-lead battery cells being less than or equal to a preset reference number.

[0015] A battery management method according to one embodiment includes measuring a temperature of a 3-lead battery cell, receiving a charging signal of the battery cell, applying current to a heating channel connecting like poles based on the charging signal being a rapid charging signal, and stopping the application of the current based on the temperature of the 3-lead battery cell reaching a reference temperature as received from a temperature sensor.

[0016] The above heating channel can connect the positive and negative poles of the 3-lead battery cell, or can connect the negative and negative poles.

[0017] Applying the current may include applying a current greater than a preset reference current to the heating channel before the rapid charging start time.

[0018] A battery management method according to one embodiment may further include increasing the application of the current based on a temperature of the 3-lead battery cell measured by the temperature sensor being below a preset threshold temperature at a point in time when a preset time has elapsed since the current was applied.

[0019] A battery management method according to one embodiment may further include increasing or decreasing the application of the current depending on the degree to which the three-lead battery cells are overlapped.

[0020] A battery management method according to one embodiment may further include increasing the application of the current based on the number of overlapping 3-lead battery cells being less than or equal to a preset reference number.

[0021] According to a battery management device according to one embodiment, heat can be generated by the battery cell itself without inserting a separate resistor inside the battery cell, and the temperature can be increased by uniformly distributing the temperature in the thickness direction of the battery stack.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a typical battery system including a battery management device according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram showing the configuration of a battery management device according to one embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a flow of a battery management device generating heat in a battery according to one embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a first structure of a battery cell that generates heat in a battery management device according to one embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates a second structure of a battery cell that generates heat in a battery management device according to one embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates a third structure of a battery cell that generates heat in a battery management device according to one embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates a graph comparing the heating rate of a battery management device according to one embodiment with that of a conventional technology.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a graph comparing the heating time of a battery management device according to one embodiment and a conventional technology.

[0030] FIG. 9 illustrates the SOC (State Of Charge) according to temperature during the process of a battery cell being heated by a battery management device according to one embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 10 illustrates a control flowchart of a battery management method according to one embodiment.

[0032] Hereinafter, various embodiments disclosed in this document will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In this document, identical components in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions of identical components are omitted.

[0033] With respect to the various embodiments disclosed in this document, specific structural and functional descriptions are merely illustrative for the purpose of explaining the embodiments, and the various embodiments disclosed in this document may be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described in this document.

[0034] The expressions "first," "second," "first," or "second" used in various embodiments may describe various components, regardless of order and / or importance, and do not limit the components. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein, a first component may be renamed a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be renamed a first component.

[0035] The terms used in this document are intended solely to describe specific embodiments and may not be intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. Singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0036] All terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art of the embodiments disclosed herein. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries may be interpreted as having the same or similar meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and unless explicitly defined herein, they shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense. In some cases, even if a term is defined herein, it cannot be interpreted to exclude the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram showing the configuration of a typical battery system including a battery management device according to various embodiments.

[0038] Specifically, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a battery system (10) and an upper controller (20) included in an upper system according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the battery system (10) may include a plurality of battery modules (12), a sensor unit (14), a switching unit (16), and a battery management device (1). At this time, the battery system (10) may be equipped with a plurality of battery modules (12), sensor units (14), switching units (16), and battery management devices (1).

[0040] A plurality of battery modules (12) may include at least one rechargeable battery cell (13). The battery cell (13) may include a cathode, a cathode material, a cathode material, a separator, an electrolyte, a polymer, and a case. In this case, the plurality of battery modules (12) may be connected in series or in parallel.

[0041] The sensor unit (14) may include a voltage sensor (2), a current sensor (3), and a temperature sensor (not shown).

[0042] The voltage sensor (2) can be configured to be connected in parallel to the battery, detect the battery voltage, which is the voltage across both terminals of the battery, and generate a voltage signal representing the detected battery voltage.

[0043] The current sensor (3) can detect the current used in the process of determining the SOC of the battery cell (13).

[0044] The current sensor (3) may include any configuration that generates a signal corresponding to the size of the charging current, and the current sensor (3) may be installed on a charging / discharging path, which is a path through which the charging / discharging current flows in the battery.

[0045] The current sensor (3) can measure the battery current flowing in the battery, i.e., the charging current and the discharging current, and transmit the measurement results to the battery management device (1). According to one embodiment, the current sensor (3) can measure the battery current at predetermined intervals during a charging cycle in which the battery is charged with power from an external device or a discharging cycle in which the battery is discharged, and transmit the measurement results to the battery management device (1).

[0046] The temperature sensor (4) may be configured to measure the battery temperature and generate a temperature signal representing the measured battery temperature. The temperature sensor (4) may be positioned within the case so as to measure a temperature close to the actual temperature of the battery. For example, the temperature sensor (4) may be attached to the surface of at least one battery cell included in the cell group and may detect the surface temperature of the battery cell as the battery temperature.

[0047] The temperature sensor (4) may be configured to measure the external temperature, which is the temperature at a predetermined location away from the battery, and generate a temperature signal representing the measured external temperature. The temperature sensor (4) may be placed at a predetermined location outside the case where heat exchange between the battery and the surrounding environment occurs. According to one embodiment, the temperature sensor (4) may be implemented as one or a combination of two or more of known temperature detection elements, such as a thermocouple, a thermistor, or a bimetal. The current flowing in the battery system (10) may be detected. At this time, the detection signal may be transmitted to the battery management device (1).

[0048] In Fig. 1, the sensor unit (14) is connected between the positive electrode of the battery cell (13) and the switching unit (16), but the configurations and connection relationships between the configurations shown in Fig. 1 are only examples and are not limited thereto.

[0049] The switching unit (16) is connected in series to the (+) terminal side or the (-) terminal side of the battery module (12) to control the charge / discharge current flow of the battery module (12). For example, the switching unit (16) may use at least one relay, magnetic contactor, etc. depending on the specifications of the battery system (10).

[0050] The battery management device (1) can monitor the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of the battery system (10) and control and manage it to prevent overcharging and overdischarging, etc., and may include, for example, a BMS (Battery Management System).

[0051] The battery management device (1) is an interface for receiving values ​​measured from various parameters, and may include a plurality of terminals and a circuit connected to these terminals to process the values ​​received. In addition, the battery management device (1) may control the ON / OFF of a switching unit (16), for example, a relay or a contactor, and may be connected to a battery module (12) to monitor the status of each battery module (12).

[0052] In addition, the battery management device (1) can obtain battery status information by receiving temperature data, voltage data, and current data from the sensor unit (14) and manage the status of the battery.

[0053] Additionally, the battery management device (1) may be provided as a server device, and the server device may be implemented as various computing devices such as a workstation, a cloud, a data drive, a data station, etc.

[0054] Accordingly, when the battery management device (1) is provided as a server device, the operation of controlling the battery may mean an operation of transmitting an operation command for controlling the battery to the battery controller.

[0055] The server device may be implemented as one or more server devices that are physically or logically separated based on functions, detailed configuration of functions, or data, and may transmit and receive data and process the transmitted and received data through communication between each server device.

[0056] The upper controller (20) can transmit a control signal for controlling the battery module (12) to the battery management device (1). Accordingly, the operation of the battery management device (1) can be controlled based on the control signal applied from the upper controller (20).

[0057] Additionally, the battery module (12) may be a component included in an Energy Storage System (ESS). In this case, the upper controller (20) may be a controller (BBMS) of a battery bank including multiple battery systems (10) or an ESS controller that controls the entire ESS including multiple banks. However, the battery system (10) is not limited to this purpose.

[0058] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram showing the configuration of a battery management device according to one embodiment.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 2, a battery management device (1) according to one embodiment includes a control unit (100) including at least one processor (110) and a memory (120) and a communication unit (200), and can manage a battery by communicating with an external device (5) through the communication unit (200).

[0060] According to an embodiment, an external device (5) communicating with a battery management device (1) may include a user terminal and a server device that transmit the status of a battery generated by the battery management device (1).

[0061] Specifically, when the external device (5) is a user terminal, the control unit (100) of the battery management device (1) can transmit the status of the battery to the user terminal so that the user can check it. At this time, the user terminal may include, but is not limited to, a personal computer, a terminal, a portable telephone, a smart phone, a handheld device, a wearable device, etc.

[0062] In addition, when the external device (5) is a server device, the server device may be implemented as various computing devices such as a workstation, a cloud, a data drive, a data station, etc. The server device may be implemented as one or more server devices that are physically or logically separated based on function, detailed configuration of function, or data, etc., and may transmit and receive data and process the transmitted and received data through communication between each server device.

[0063] A battery management device (1) according to one embodiment may refer to any electronic device including a processor (110) and a memory (120), and may be mounted on a vehicle and operated. Each component of the battery management device (1) will be described in detail below.

[0064] The communication unit (200) may include a wireless communication unit (210) and a wired communication unit (220) to communicate with an external device (5). The communication unit (200) may transmit and receive programs for calculating characteristic values ​​of battery cells, class classification, and lifespan estimation, as well as various data, from a separately provided external server.

[0065] The wireless communication unit (210) may include at least one of a short-range communication module and a long-range communication module.

[0066] The short-range communication module can communicate with an external device (5) adjacent to the battery management device (1) using a short-range communication method. Here, the short-range communication module can utilize one of the following communication methods: Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, infrared data association (IrDA), Zigbee, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, Ultra Wideband (UWB), or near field communication (NFC).

[0067] The remote communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of remote communication and may include a mobile communication unit. The mobile communication unit may transmit and receive a wireless signal with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and an external device (5) on a mobile communication network. In addition, the remote communication module may communicate with an external device (5) or an external device (5) such as another electronic device through a surrounding access point (AP). The access point (AP) may connect a local area network (LAN) to which the battery management device (1) is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a communication server is connected. Accordingly, the battery management device (1) may be connected to the communication server through the wide area network (WAN) with the external device (5) and communicate with each other.

[0068] The wired communication unit (220) can connect to a wired communication network and communicate with an external device (5) through the wired communication network. For example, the wired communication unit (220) can connect to a wired communication network through Ethernet (IEEE 802.3 technology standard) or connect to a wired communication network through CAN communication, and transmit and receive data with the external devices (5) through the wired communication network.

[0069] A battery management device (1) according to one embodiment may include an input / output interface (not shown). An interface may be provided that connects an input device (not shown) such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, an output device (not shown) such as a display, and a processor (110) to transmit and receive data.

[0070] The memory (120) can store various information necessary for operating the battery management device (1). Specifically, the memory (120) can store an operating system and a program necessary for operating the battery management device (1), or store data necessary for operating the battery management device (1).

[0071] Specifically, the memory (120) can store various programs related to calculating characteristic values ​​of battery cells, classifying classes, and estimating lifespan. In addition, the memory (120) can store various data, such as voltage, current, temperature, and characteristic value data of each battery cell.

[0072] Additionally, the memory (120) can store voltage application conditions and interruption conditions of the battery cell (13) utilized by the processor (110).

[0073] The memory (120) may include volatile memory (120) such as Static Random Access Memory (S-RAM) and Dynamic Random Access Memory (D-RAM) for temporarily storing data. In addition, the memory (120) may include nonvolatile memory (120) such as Read Only Memory (ROM), Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), and Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) for long-term storage of data.

[0074] The processor (110) outputs control signals to control the battery management device (1) as a whole. The processor (110) may include one or more central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs). In this case, the processor (110) may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor (110) and a memory (120) storing a program that can be executed on the microprocessor (110).

[0075] The aforementioned memory (120) and processor (110) may be included in the control unit (100), and the control unit (100) may control the aforementioned components to generate a certain amount of heat in the battery cell prior to rapid charging.

[0076] Specifically, the control unit (100) may apply current to a heating channel connecting the same poles based on the fact that the charging signal is a rapid charging signal to generate heat in the battery cell (13), and may stop applying the current when the temperature of the battery cell (13) reaches a reference temperature.

[0077] That is, the control unit (100) can determine whether the charging signal for charging the battery cell (13) is slow charging or rapid charging, and the control unit (100) determining the charging signal may include a process of reading the type of signal received from the connector or charger.

[0078] If the control unit (100) determines that the type of battery charging is rapid charging, it can heat the battery cell (13) by applying a current higher than a preset reference current to the heating channel before the rapid charging starts. That is, the control unit (100) can control the battery cell (13) itself to heat by applying a current to the heating channel that connects the positive and negative poles or the negative and negative poles in advance before the rapid charging starts.

[0079] At this time, the battery cell (13) may include a 3-lead battery cell (13), and the 3-lead battery cell (13) may mean a battery cell (13) composed of one positive electrode and two negative electrodes, or composed of one negative electrode and two positive electrodes and including three leads.

[0080] At this time, when the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment is provided as a server device, applying or stopping the application of current to the heating channel may mean that the control unit (100) transmits a control signal to the battery system (10) so that the current is applied or stopped to the heating channel.

[0081] According to a battery management device (1) according to one embodiment, even if a separate resistor is not inserted into the battery cell (13), the battery cell (13) itself can generate heat, so that the temperature distribution inside the battery cell (13) is uniform.

[0082] The control unit (100) can determine whether the temperature of the 3-lead battery cell (13) measured by the temperature sensor (4) is below a preset threshold temperature after a preset time has elapsed after current is applied to the 3-lead battery cell (13), and if the temperature of the 3-lead battery cell (13) is below the preset threshold temperature, the control unit (100) can increase the application of current for additional heat generation.

[0083] For example, if the temperature of the battery cell (13) does not increase to the target temperature even after current is applied and a preset time has elapsed, the control unit (100) may determine that the cause is low ambient temperature and increase the application of current to further increase the temperature of the battery cell (13).

[0084] Likewise, when the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment is provided as a server device, the control unit (100) can receive the temperature of the battery cell (13) from the temperature sensor and determine whether the temperature of the battery cell (13) is below a threshold temperature. Thereafter, if the temperature of the battery cell (13) is below the threshold temperature, the control unit (100) can transmit a control signal to the battery system (10) so that an increased current is applied to the heating channel for additional heat generation.

[0085] In addition, the control unit (100) can increase or decrease the application of current depending on the degree of overlap of the battery cells (13), and specifically, the control unit (100) can increase the application of current when the number of overlapped battery cells (13) is less than or equal to a preset reference number.

[0086] That is, the control unit (100) can increase the current application when the number of overlapping battery cells (13) is less than the reference number to solve the problem that the heating rate is relatively low and the heating time is long when the number of overlapping battery cells (13) is less than the reference number.

[0087] At this time, the reference value at which the control unit (100) increases the current application may vary depending on the specifications of the battery and the usage environment and may be derived experimentally.

[0088] In this way, the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment can maximize the charging efficiency of the battery by raising the temperature of the battery to a certain level within a safe range before rapidly charging the battery, and prevent battery performance degradation such as lithium precipitation.

[0089] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a flow chart for determining whether a battery is defective by a battery management device according to one embodiment. Components 101 to 104 in FIG. 3 are implemented in the form of software blocks, stored in memory (120), and executed by a processor (110).

[0090] The control unit (100) can receive battery data of the battery cell (13) from the sensor unit, and specifically, the control unit (100) can receive voltage data from the voltage sensor (2), current data from the current sensor (3), and temperature data from the temperature sensor (4).

[0091] The charging signal determination unit (101) of the control unit (100) can determine whether the signal from the user charging the battery is slow charging or rapid charging before the battery is charged. Specifically, the control unit (100) can determine the charging type by utilizing various sensors and algorithms.

[0092] For example, the control unit (100) can determine that rapid charging is in progress when a rapid charging protocol is used by checking the charging protocol and attribute values, and specifically, the control unit (100) can communicate with the charger to check the charging protocol and attribute being used.

[0093] In addition, the control unit (100) can recognize the characteristics of the charger to determine whether rapid charging is performed, and can recognize the characteristics of the charger connected to the battery and determine whether rapid charging is performed based on the type and characteristics of the charger.

[0094] Thereafter, the current application unit (102) of the control unit (100) can determine how much current and voltage to apply to heat the 3-lead battery cell (13), and can determine the current supply path to apply the current to the heating channel.

[0095] In addition, the control unit (100) can determine the degree of overlap of the battery cells (13) in order to generate heat in the battery cells (13), and can increase the applied current when the degree of overlap of the battery cells (13) is less than or equal to a preset standard number.

[0096] Thereafter, the temperature judgment unit (103) of the control unit (100) can determine whether the temperature of the battery cell (13) has reached a preset reference temperature by judging the temperature after the current has been applied. At this time, the control unit (100) can increase the current application if the temperature of the battery cell (13) has not reached the reference temperature even after the time expected to reach the target temperature has elapsed after the current has been applied. On the other hand, the control unit (100) can determine whether the battery has been heated to an overheated level by exceeding the target temperature after the current has been applied.

[0097] In the current application interruption unit (104) of the control unit (100), if it is determined that the temperature of the battery cell (13) has reached the target temperature after a preset time has elapsed, or if it is determined that the temperature has exceeded the target temperature even before the preset time has elapsed and has overheated, the application of current to the heating channel connecting the positive and negative electrodes or the negative and negative electrodes of the battery cell (13) can be interrupted.

[0098] At this time, the control unit (100) may determine in advance the upper temperature limit of the battery cell (13) and determine that a case in which the temperature of the battery cell (13) exceeds the upper temperature limit is overheated, or may determine that a case in which the difference between the temperature of a specific battery cell (13) and the temperature average value is greater than a preset standard difference is overheated by utilizing the temperature average value between the battery cells (13).

[0099] Thereafter, the control unit (100) can transmit information such as the battery's heating status and required time to an external device (5) including a user terminal through the communication unit (200).

[0100] FIG. 4 illustrates a first structure of a battery cell that generates heat by a battery management device according to one embodiment, FIG. 5 illustrates a second structure of a battery cell that generates heat by a battery management device according to one embodiment, and FIG. 6 illustrates a third structure of a battery cell that generates heat by a battery management device according to one embodiment.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 4, a battery cell (13) that generates heat in a battery management device (1) according to one embodiment may include a 3-lead battery cell (13), and a first structure of the 3-lead cell may include a positive electrode heating channel (c) connecting the positive electrode (a-1) and the positive electrode (a-2).

[0102] At this time, since the battery stack is provided with one more stack of negative electrodes (b) than positive electrodes (a-1, a-2), for example, in the case of 12 stack battery cells (13), 12 positive electrode heating channels (c) can be provided.

[0103] Here, the heating channel (c) may mean a conductor line that allows current to pass between the positive electrode (a-1) and the positive electrode (a-2) of the 3-lead battery cell (13).

[0104] Referring to FIG. 5, the second structure of the 3-lead battery cell (13) that generates heat in the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment may include a cathode heating channel (c) connecting the cathode (b-1) and the cathode (b-2).

[0105] At this time, since the battery stack is provided with one more stack of cathodes (b-1, b-2) than the anode (a), for example, in the case of 12 stack battery cells (13), 13 cathode heating channels (c) can be provided.

[0106] Here, the heating channel (c) may mean a conductor line that conducts current between the cathode (b-1) and the cathode (b-2) of the 3-lead battery cell (13).

[0107] Referring to FIG. 6, the third structure of the 3-lead battery cell (13) that generates heat in the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment may include a cathode heating channel (c) connecting the cathode (b-1) and the cathode (b-2).

[0108] At this time, the 3-lead battery cell (13) according to one embodiment may change the positions of the negative electrodes (b-1, b-2) from the second structure to the third structure for battery design reasons. However, it may be advantageous in terms of heat generation to design the positions of the negative electrode lead tabs to be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the 3-lead battery cell (13) so that the distance between different negative electrode lead tabs is as long as possible.

[0109] Accordingly, in a battery management device according to one embodiment, a 3-lead battery cell (13) may be provided with a lead tab along a path with the longest distance of the lead tabs provided with a heating channel (c).

[0110] In a 3-lead battery cell (13) according to one embodiment, each battery stack can be a heating element, so that the heating amount of each battery stack increases in proportion to the number of battery stacks, thereby securing heating performance without a significant increase in the time required for rapid charging.

[0111] In addition, there is no need to insert an additional resistor for heat generation in the 3-lead battery cell (13), and since the entire battery stack generates heat, the temperature difference between the surface and center of the battery stack is small, resulting in higher temperature uniformity compared to the conventional technology.

[0112] For example, since the conventional technology uses a method in which the nickel resistor inserted in the center generates heat rather than the entire battery cell (13) included in the battery stack, a temperature difference of 10 degrees or more may occur between the surface and center of the battery. Specifically, in the conventional technology, when the thermal conductivity in the surface direction of the battery stack is 45.5 W / mK, the thermal conductivity in the thickness direction may be 0.55 W / mK, which may represent a difference of approximately 83 times.

[0113] In the conventional technology, when measuring the temperature based on the surface of the battery, assuming that the target heating temperature is 65 degrees, the temperature inside the battery rises to 75 degrees, causing a phenomenon such as lithium plating to occur, which may deteriorate the safety and performance of the battery.

[0114] On the other hand, according to the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment, the entire battery stack constituting the battery generates heat, so that the temperature difference between the surface and the center is hardly less than 1 degree, and thus a phenomenon such as lithium plating can be prevented, thereby improving the safety and performance of the battery.

[0115] FIG. 7 illustrates a graph comparing the heating rate of a battery management device according to one embodiment with that of a conventional technology.

[0116] Referring to Fig. 7, graph (a) represents a battery heating rate according to a conventional technology, and graph (b) represents a battery heating rate according to a battery management device (1) according to one embodiment. In addition, the horizontal axis of the graph represents the number of battery stacks (N) indicating the number of stacked battery cells (13), and the vertical axis of the graph represents a heating rate per second (K / sec).

[0117] First, the battery heating rate according to the prior art can increase proportionally as the battery stack increases. For example, according to the prior art, the heating rate can increase from about 1.0 K / sec when the battery stack is 14 to about 1.5 K / sec when the battery stack is 20.

[0118] Next, the battery heating rate by the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment can also be increased proportionally as the battery stack increases. For example, the battery management device (1) can increase the heating rate from about 0.7 K / sec when the battery stack is 14, to about 1.5 K / sec when the battery stack is 20.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 7, the increase in the heating rate is greater in the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment, so in the case of the first region (d) where the number of battery stacks is less than 20, the heating rate of the prior art may be higher, but in the case of the second region (c) where the number of battery stacks exceeds 20, the heating rate of the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment may be higher.

[0120] However, the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment can increase the application of current in the first region (d) where the number of stacks, which is the number of overlapping battery cells (13), is equal to or less than a preset reference number. That is, in the first region (d) where the number of stacks of battery cells (13) in FIG. 7 is 20 or less, the application of current can be increased to improve the heating rate, and thus a higher heating rate can be secured compared to the prior art in all stack numbers.

[0121] FIG. 8 is a graph comparing the heating time of a battery management device according to one embodiment and a conventional technology.

[0122] Referring to Fig. 8, graph (a) represents a battery heating time according to a conventional technology, and graph (b) represents a battery heating time according to a battery management device (1) according to one embodiment. In addition, the horizontal axis of the graph represents the number of battery stacks (N) indicating the number of stacked battery cells (13), and the vertical axis of the graph represents the heating time (sec) required to increase the temperature of the battery by 40 degrees.

[0123] First, the battery heating time according to the prior art can be proportionally reduced as the battery stack increases. For example, according to the prior art, the 40 degree heating time can be reduced from about 40 seconds when the battery stack is 14, to about 28 seconds when the battery stack is 20.

[0124] Next, the 40 degree heating time by the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment can also be reduced proportionally as the battery stack increases, for example, the battery management device (1) can reduce the 40 degree heating time from about 58 seconds when the battery stack is 14, to about 28 seconds when the battery stack is 20.

[0125] However, as shown in FIG. 8, the reduction in heating time is greater in the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment, so in the case of the first region (d) where the number of battery stacks is less than 20, the heating time of the prior art may be shorter, but in the case of the second region (c) where the number of battery stacks exceeds 20, the heating time of the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment may be shorter.

[0126] In addition, the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment can increase the current application in the first region (d) where the number of stacks, which is the number of overlapping battery cells (13), is less than or equal to a preset reference number. That is, in the first region (d) where the number of stacks of battery cells (13) in FIG. 8 is 20 or less, the heating time can be reduced by increasing the current application, thereby ensuring a shorter heating time compared to the prior art in all stack numbers.

[0127] FIG. 9 illustrates the SOC (State Of Charge) according to temperature during the process of a battery cell being heated by a battery management device according to one embodiment.

[0128] Referring to Figure 9, the horizontal axis of the graph represents the charge / discharge rate (C-rate), and the vertical axis of the graph represents the SOC (State Of Charge), which indicates the degree of charging.

[0129] In addition, graph (a) shows the SOC value according to the charge / discharge rate (C-rate) after heating a 3-lead battery cell (13) to a temperature of 45 degrees, graph (b) shows the SOC value according to the charge / discharge rate (C-rate) after heating a 3-lead battery cell (13) to a temperature of 25 degrees, and graph (c) shows the SOC value according to the charge / discharge rate (C-rate) after heating a 3-lead battery cell (13) to a temperature of -10 degrees.

[0130] It can be assumed that the rapid charging completion time in graph (a) takes 24 minutes, the rapid charging completion time in graph (b) takes 31 minutes, and the rapid charging completion time in graph (c) takes 209 minutes.

[0131] At this time, according to the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment, since it takes 40 seconds to increase the temperature of the battery to 45 degrees as in graph (a) in graph (b), the total rapid charging completion time can be reduced from 31 minutes to 24 minutes and 40 seconds, and since it takes 69 seconds to increase the temperature to 25 degrees as in graph (b) in graph (c), the total rapid charging completion time can be reduced from 209 minutes to 32 minutes and 09 seconds.

[0132] In addition, since the battery itself generates heat during the rapid charging process by the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment, the rapid charging completion time can be further reduced. In this way, the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment has a remarkable effect of eliminating the risk of lithium precipitation during the process of increasing the charge / discharge rate (C-rate) according to the temperature rise of the battery cell (13).

[0133] FIG. 8 illustrates a control flowchart of a battery management method according to one embodiment.

[0134] Referring to FIG. 8, the control unit (100) can receive temperature data of the battery cell (13) through the temperature sensor (4) or the communication unit (200) (800) and can receive a charging signal of the battery cell (13) (810).

[0135] Thereafter, the control unit (100) can determine whether the charging signal of the battery cell (13) is a rapid charging signal (820), and if the charging signal of the battery cell (13) is a rapid charging signal (example of 820), current can be applied to the heating channel connecting the same poles (830).

[0136] The control unit (100) can apply current to a heating channel connecting the positive and negative electrodes or the negative and negative electrodes of a 3-lead battery cell (13) and determine whether the temperature of the battery cell (13) has reached a reference temperature (840). If it is determined that the temperature of the battery cell (13) has reached the reference temperature (example of 840), the application of current can be stopped to prevent overheating of the battery cell (13) (850).

[0137] A battery management method according to one embodiment may operate on a separate management device for managing a battery, or may operate on a server including various computing devices such as a workstation, a cloud, a data drive, and a data station.

[0138] In this way, the battery management device (1) according to one embodiment can induce overall heat generation of the 3-lead battery cell (13), thereby improving the temperature uniformity of the entire battery, thereby preventing lithium stacking due to temperature deviation, and has the effect of improving the speed of rapid charging.

[0139] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing computer-executable instructions. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, may generate program modules to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0140] Computer-readable storage media include all types of storage media that store instructions that can be deciphered by a computer. Examples include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic tape, magnetic disks, flash memory, and optical data storage devices.

[0141] Additionally, a computer-readable recording medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, the term "non-transitory storage medium" simply means a tangible device that does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves). This term does not distinguish between cases where data is permanently stored in the storage medium and cases where data is temporarily stored. For example, a "non-transitory storage medium" may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0142] According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in the present document may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable recording medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) via an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., downloadable app) may be at least temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable recording medium, such as a memory (102) of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0143] Although all components constituting the embodiments disclosed in this document have been described as being combined or operating in combination as one, the embodiments disclosed in this document are not necessarily limited to such embodiments. That is, within the scope of the purpose of the embodiments disclosed in this document, all of the components may be selectively combined and operated one or more times.

[0144] Furthermore, terms such as "include," "comprise," or "have" described above, unless specifically stated otherwise, imply that the corresponding component may be present, and therefore should be interpreted to include other components rather than excluding other components. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document pertain, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as terms defined in dictionaries, should be interpreted to be consistent with the contextual meaning of the relevant technology, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless explicitly defined in this document.

[0145] The above description is merely an illustrative description of the technical idea disclosed in this document, and those skilled in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document pertain may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the embodiments disclosed in this document. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this document are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the embodiments disclosed in this document, but to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea disclosed in this document is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the technical idea disclosed in this document should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of this document.

Claims

1. 3- A communication unit for receiving temperature data of a lead battery cell and a charging signal of the battery cell; and A battery management device comprising a control unit that applies current to a heating channel connecting the same poles based on the charging signal being a rapid charging signal, and stops applying the current based on the temperature of the 3-lead battery cell received from a temperature sensor reaching a reference temperature.

2. In claim 1, A battery management device including the heating channel connecting the positive and negative poles of the 3-lead battery cell or connecting the negative and negative poles.

3. In claim 1, The above control unit, A battery management device that applies a current greater than a preset reference current to the heating channel before the start of the rapid charging.

4. In claim 1, The above control unit, A battery management device that increases the application of the current based on the temperature of the 3-lead battery cell measured by the temperature sensor being below a preset threshold temperature at a point in time when a preset time has elapsed since the current was applied.

5. In claim 1, The above control unit, A battery management device that increases or decreases the application of the current depending on the degree to which the three-lead battery cells are overlapped.

6. In claim 5, The above control unit, A battery management device that increases the application of the current based on the number of overlapping 3-lead battery cells being less than or equal to a preset reference number. 7.3-Measure the temperature of the lead battery cell; Receive a charging signal of the above 3-lead battery cell; Based on the above charging signal being a rapid charging signal, current is applied to the heating channel connecting the same poles; A battery management method comprising: stopping the application of the current based on the temperature of the 3-lead battery cell received from the temperature sensor reaching a reference temperature; 8. In claim 7, A battery management method comprising: connecting the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the three-lead battery cell; or connecting the negative electrode and the positive electrode of the three-lead battery cell.

9. In claim 7, Applying the above current is, A battery management method comprising: applying a current greater than a preset reference current to the heating channel before the rapid charging start time; 10. In claim 7, A battery management method further comprising: increasing the application of the current based on the temperature of the 3-lead battery cell measured by the temperature sensor being below a preset threshold temperature at a point in time when a preset time has elapsed since the application of the current.

11. In claim 7, A battery management method further comprising: increasing or decreasing the application of the current depending on the degree to which the three-lead battery cells are overlapped.

12. In claim 11, A battery management method further comprising: increasing the application of the current based on the number of overlapping 3-lead battery cells being less than or equal to a preset reference number.

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